Game Notes

HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i softball team (21-27, 5-10 Big West) hosts its final home series of the season this week against Cal Poly (23-21, 6-9 Big West). Friday night's game will begin at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday's Senior Day doubleheader is slated to start at 2:00 p.m. It will be the final home games for five Rainbow Wahine seniors—Keiki Carlos, Tayana Mata, Sarah McAndrew, Dori Ann Sugai and Kiani Wong.
 
Last week, Hawai'i went 1-2 at UC Santa Barbara, falling in the first two games before fighting back to win the last game, 4-1 on Saturday. Rachel Lack appeared in all three games with one start and let UH with a .600 batting average, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run. She drove in three of UH's four runs in the series finale against the Gauchos. On the season, Lack leads the Rainbow Wahine with 23 RBI. Shortstop Breanna Ojala also did well at the plate, hitting .429 in three starts. She went 3-for-7 with two runs scored, a double and a home run.
 
Overall, Carlos leads the 'Bows with a .290 batting average with a team-high 10 doubles and 18 walks. She is second on the team with 24 runs scored and third with 42 hits. Rookies Nicole Lopez and Sarah Muzik along with Carlos, are the only three players to start all 48 games this season. Lopez has been solid at the hot-corner and is ranked second on the squad with a .288 batting average and she leads UH with 44 hits—including eight doubles, two triples and four home runs. She has scored 16 runs while driving in 20. Muzik has been a true utility player for the 'Bows, starting in leftfield 34 times; at shortstop five games; at second base seven times and in centerfield twice.
 
In the pitching circle, Brittany Hitchcock continues to lead the NCAA in walks allowed per seven innings (0.33). She is also ranked No. 91 in the nation with a 2.27 ERA overall. She has a 2.27 ERA in 148.0 innings pitched and is 10-14 in 26 appearances (25 starts). Hitchcock, who is a sophomore, has fired 15 complete games with three shutouts and has just seven walks with 90 strikeouts. Junior Kanani Aina Cabrales is 8-9 overall with a 3.50 ERA in 26 appearances. She has thrown 122.0 innings with 35 walks to 74 strike outs while holding opponents to a .263 batting average. Freshman Jennifer Iseri is 3-4 in 14 appearances thus far with a 3.72 ERA. The rookie southpaw has thrown 52.2 innings with four complete games.
 
In conference games, senior Tayana Mata leads UH with a .371 batting average (13-for-35) with two doubles and six RBI.
 
The Mustangs come into Honolulu with a 23-21 overall record and 6-9 conference mark. They are led by Stephanie Heyward who is hitting .374 (52-for-139) with a team-high 25 runs scored. She also has solid numbers across the board with seven doubles, four triples, and one home run. Sierra Hyland is second on the team hitting .353 (42-for-119) with team-highs of nine doubles, three home runs and 26 RBI. Breana West is hitting .319 (374-for-116) to rank third on the team.
 
In the pitching circle, the Mustangs have primarily used three pitchers, led by Hyland who is 12-5 overall with a conference-best 1.39 ERA. In 125.2 innings pitched. She has walked just 45 while striking out 170—which is tied for tops in the Big West this season. Hyland also leads the league with an opposing batting average of .172. Lindsey Chalmers is 9-11 on the year with a 3.42 ERA in 116.2 innings pitched. She has 28 walks with 66 strikeouts. Heyward has also seen some time in the circle, throwing 46.0 innings overall. She is 2-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 11 appearances.
 
Hawai'i has a 7-6 edge against the Mustangs. Last season, UH won the series in San Luis Obispo, 2-1. The Rainbow Wahine won the first and last games of the series, 3-2 and 4-1while falling in the middle game, 1-8 in 2015.
 
Games 49-51
Who: Hawai'i (21-27, 5-10 Big West) vs. Cal Poly (23-21, 6-9 Big West)
When: Friday, May 6 at 6:00 pm; Saturday, May 7 (Doubleheader) at 2:00 pm (SENIOR DAY!)
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium (1,200) – Honolulu, HI
Promotions: UHFCU is the series sponsor and will provide great prizes for the winners of the popular "Ballpark Bingo."  After Friday night's game, there will be an AUTOGRAPH SESSION with the team immediately following the game. On Saturday, UHFCU will distribute 800 softball team photos and award plaques to the seniors during a special "Senior Day" presentation following the second game of the doubleheader. 
Livestats: Live in-game stats will be available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Television: Saturday's "Senior Day" doubleheader will be televised live statewide on OCSports [Digital Ch. 1016 (HD), Ch. 16 (SD)] -or- -or- Hawaiian Telcom Channel 89 (SD) and 1089 (HD) with Scott Robbs handling the play-by-play and Lori Santi as the color analyst
Streaming Video: Live streaming video is available at HawaiiAthletics.com
Series Record: Hawai'i holds a 7-6 record against the Mustangs. Last season, UH won the series in San Luis Obispo, 2-1, winning the first and last games of the series, 3-2 and 4-1. The Rainbow Wahine fell in the middle game, 1-8.